ASHLAND TREE COMMISSION

MINUTES

February 8, 2007

CALL TO ORDER –Acting Chair Mary Pritchard called the Ashland Tree Commission meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. on February 8, 2007 in the Siskiyou Room in the Community Development and Engineering Services Building located at 51 Winburn Way, Ashland, OR.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

December 7, 2006 Tree Commission Minutes - Siewert/Sager m/s to approve the minutes of December 7, 2006. Voice vote:  all AYES, Motion passed.  The minutes of December 7, 2006 were approved as presented. 

January 4, 2007 Tree Commission Minutes - First page, second to the last paragraph should read “She suggested to the applicant to err on the side of spending more money and purchasing bigger plants.”  Third page under Old Business middle sentence should read “installation of the dedication plaque and it can be easily seen by the citizens.” Sager/Siewert m/s to approve the minutes of January 4, 2007. Voice vote:  all AYES, Motion passed.  The minutes of January 4, 2007 were approved with corrections. 

PUBLIC FORUM

None present

PUBLIC HEARINGS

PLANNING ACTION #2007-00091 Request for Subdivision approval of an eight-lot subdivision consisting of seven lots for future development and an eighth commonly-owned lot to accommodate landscaping, parking and circulation, for the properties located at 165 Lithia Way and 123 North First St.  Site Review approval is requested for the proposed parking lot and perimeter landscaping.  A Tree Removal Permit is requested to remove four trees six-inches in diameter at breast height and greater in size.  [Note: This application is similar to a proposal under the Performance Standards Options chapter 18.88 on last month's agenda, but a new application has been submitted for consideration under the Subdivision chapter 18.80.] COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Commercial; ZONING:  C-1; ASSESSOR’S MAP # 39 1E 09 BA; TAX LOTS:  10100, 11601, 11701, 9000, 9001, 9002 & 9003.

APPLICANT: Archerd & Dresner LLC and Redco Development LLC

Amy reviewed the staff report and explained the project.  The Commissioners discussed the Planning Action and agreed to use all of last month’s recommendations as well as the use of structural soil and tree protection fencing.

The Commissioners discussed a letter from a concerned neighbor regarding the concrete fence in the back of the property.  The neighbor would like to see the concrete fence continue.  The Commissioners felt it would be appropriate to encourage the developer to consider additional screening and to speak with the neighbor in order to come to some kind of agreement.  The Commissioners support the idea of more structurally sound privacy screening. 

Recommendations: 

    1)That an alternate tree from the Lithia Way recommended street tree list be chosen in place of the Chinese Pistache for the street trees along Lithia Way.

    2)That a conifer be planted in the northwest corner, near the parking area.

    3)That street tree grates larger than 4-foot by 4-foot be used, such as 4-foot by 6-foot grates, and that applicant consider state of the art tree grate options.

    4)That structural soil shall be used throughout the project as deemed fit by the project Arborist.

    5)That Tree Protection fencing shall be installed around all sides of the all of the parking lot trees and landscaping on the adjacent City of Ashland parking lot property.

    6)That the applicant shall coordinate with Ashland Parks and Recreation Department prior to the removal of any trees and / or landscaping on the adjacent City of Ashland parking lot property.

    7)That all new trees and landscaping shall be protected from construction impacts prior to site disturbance, storage or materials and building or excavation permit approval at the time of individual site reviews with Tree Protection fencing.

Site Visits and Ex Parte Contacts – All the Commissioners did a site visit. 

Applicant testimony –None present

ACTION ITEMS

Annual presentation by Electrical Department – David Wood was not present so no presentation was given.

Re-review of 655 Lit Way –Originally the applicant had supplied a very poor plan that was inaccurate.  The applicant has now provided a new plan prepared by a professional landscape architect.  Amy reviewed the plans with the Commissioners.  Amy said that Robbin Pearce has reviewed the plans and everything appears appropriate including the irrigation plan. The Commissions agreed that the applicant has done their due diligence.

Type 1 Review Sign-Ups  

March 8 – Pritchard, Guiley, Cruser

April 5 – Pritchard, Sager, Guiley

May 3 – Sager, Siewert, Cruser

June 7 – Siewert

DISCUSSION ITEMS

Plaza Tree Replacement Event – February 15, 2007 at Noon – Sager will submit a story to the Daily Tidings for the Backpage article. Included in the article will be an invitation to the planting.  Amy also is sending out a press release.

Sager reported that she has ruled out using wood from the Tree of Heaven for Holley’s picture frame because the wood is still drying.  Fred Stockwell will have the picture framed and bring it to the planting on the 15^th.  The Commissioners are meeting with Bryan Holley on the 15^th at the Blacksheep for a send off. They acknowledged that Holley has put a lot of energy and time into the Tree Commission as well as many other activities serving the community. 

Arbor Week/Day Planning – The Commission will be planting a Red Maple in celebration of Arbor Week . Rich commented that the Parks Department will be removing some Liquid Ambers down from the Remax Realty office which might be an appropriate site for the planting of the Red Maple. The Commissioners decided to invite the Chamber of Commerce. Amy will talk with Public Works regarding blocking off the parking spaces and have Ann Seltzer submit a press release.  Amy will be in touch regarding a date and time. 

The Commissioners decided that the Tree Walk for Arbor Day was worth doing again.    The Triangle Park was suggested for the walk.  Seiwert and Guiley volunteered to do the tree walk on April 28, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. 

The Mayor will read the proclamation of Arbor Week on April 3, 2007 at the City Council meeting, held at Council Chambers at 7:00 p.m.  Amy is going to request that ODF does their presentation of the Tree City USA Award the same date. 

The Cemetery crew is ready for the installation of the Tree of the Year plaque. Amy will talk with Rocky at the cemetery to arrange a date and time.

Earth Day Event – The Commissioners agreed to do a booth again this year.  They will offer an activity for the children and bring pictures of all the past Tree of the Year winners.  It was suggested to offer Heritage Tree applications at the booth.

Commission Appreciation Event –Amy will be attending and she will have the ISA brochures as well as the Street Tree guides available for the attendees. 

Rotating Chair – Pritchard agreed to Chair the next two meeting for March and April. 

ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS

Liaison Reports – Rich reported that the Parks Department would like to remove some Liquid Ambers on Main Street across from Nimbus.  They have become a safety concern because they are breaking up the sidewalk. Their idea is to remove every other one, eventually removing the trees entirely and replacing them with Street Trees.  Pritchard inquired about rubber sidewalk. 

Rich also reported that the Raywood Ash Trees along Pioneer Street near Shakespeare are growing into the metal grates.  The Commissioners suggested they reuse and recycle the grates after they take them off.

Sager will correct the Street Tree Clearance Graphic.

Rich handed out some information regarding mistletoe.

OLD BUSINESS

Land Use Ordinance Review (Siegel Report) – Mr. Stalheim, Planning Director, said that the Land Use Committee is working on taking care of the simple items that need corrected in the ordinance first.  Sager will bring back the comments to Amy.

NEW ITEMS

Number of Commissioners – The Commissioners discussed the idea of having only five members and felt there was way to much work for five Commissioners.  They agreed to a minimum of seven.  Amy reported that anyone living anywhere can be on the Commission.  There are no address limitations. Amy will work on a flyer and the Commissioners will take them around and post them. 

Current Balance - $79.39.  This money will be used to purchase the picture for  Bryan.

Revision of Street Tree Guide –Though Pritchard is not going to be on the Commission this coming year she volunteered to be part of the sub-committee. The Commission will focus on this after April. 

Heritage Tree List – With Amy’s help Guiley will work on an article for the Backpage.   Guiley will send the article around to the other Commissioners for their input. 

ADJOURNMENT - Commissioner Pritchard adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Carolyn Schwendener, Account Clerk